About Us

The Asian Studies Minor provides Villanova undergraduates with basic competence in the history, politics, philosophies, languages, and cultures of the region, while also emphasizing:

an interdisciplinary approach that addresses complex and connective understanding of the major issues and appreciation of the region’s diversity;

and acquisition of basic research skills toward a deeper understanding of a particular problem, idea, or event of the region.

Why Asian Studies

Why Asian Studies? Because the Asian Century is now. The Asian region is culturally diverse, politically and socially multifaceted and vitally important to American interests. The region’s cultures, traditions and societies are a complex mix of both ancient traditions and modern imaginings. It is the fastest growing economic region in the world, home to one economic superpower, Japan, and two potential, emergent economic and military superpowers, China and India.It is the birthplace of many of our new technologies and the locus of rapid change in labor and capital markets. It is both a bulwark of American security and a source of potential instability. Asia is increasingly influential in shaping the global economic, social and political agendas. This concentration will prepare you to play a part in the Asian Century.

About Villanova

Villanova University was founded in 1842 by the Order of St. Augustine. To this day, Villanova’s Augustinian Catholic intellectual tradition is the cornerstone of an academic community in which students learn to think critically, act compassionately and succeed while serving others. There are more than 10,000 undergraduate, graduate and law students in the University’s six colleges.